The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and left hip strain and arthralgia, but has remanded both claims due to insufficient evidence. The low back disability is related to in-service injuries, while the left hip strain and arthralgia may be aggravated by the service-connected left knee disability.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, but remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his current back disability. The left hip strain and arthralgia claim was also remanded as there is insufficient evidence on whether it is related to the service-connected left knee disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disability, Left hip strain and arthralgia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 23, 2018
- Citation
- 18144092
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18144092.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability alone does not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hip disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address the severity of his low back disability, including whether he has experienced incapacitating episodes of IVDS.
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